The game of baseball is embroiled in controversy after a ball travelling at 105mph (169km/h) hit a young girl at a New York Yankees game in the face.
In the hours after the incident, the game's commissioner vowed to push harder for all teams to extend protective netting around stadiums, and the Cincinnati Reds and San Diego Padres committed to do just that by next year.
Several legal observers of baseball, which has long been shielded from lawsuits over fan injuries, saw the girl's injury as a potential game changer.
"America's pastime is breaking America's heart. That little girl, that's everyone's daughter," said lawyer Bob Hilliard, who represents 1,750 fans who seek class action status to sue after being hit by balls and bats at games each year.
The line drive off the bat of Yankees slugger Todd Frazier on Wednesday hit the girl in the face in less than a second, and the game came to a halt as she was treated in the stands.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
Frazier and other players from the Yankees and Minnesota Twins kneeled in prayer, and many fans were in stunned silence or in tears.
The toddler remained in hospital on Thursday.
"She's doing all right. Just keep her in your thoughts," her father said.
In a statement on Thursday, Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred called the events "extremely upsetting."
"Over the past few seasons MLB has worked with our clubs to expand the amount of netting in our ballparks," Manfred said.
"In light of yesterday's event, we will redouble our efforts on this important issue."
Some Major League Baseball teams have extended the netting at their stadiums to at least the far end of the dugout.
The Yankees are not one of those teams.
